Illumination for bowling alleys



Aug. 16, 1960 K. c. SHERMAN ILLUMINATION FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed Oct.7, 1958 MW I ILLUMINATIQN FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Kenneth C. Sherman,Monessen, Pa. (Box 67, Gambrills, Md.)

Filed Oct. 7, 1958, Ser. No. 765,823

'3 Claims. (Cl. 273'1) This invention relates to means for efiicientlyilluminating bowling alleys in such a way as to avoid objectionableshadows on the alley or glare in the eyes of the bowlers. it is afurther object of the invention to conceal the balls which are beingreturned from the pit after being thrown down the alley.

For a more complete understanding of the invention reference may be hadto the following description thereof, and to the drawing, of which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of two adjoining alleys witha ball return and illumination means between them; and

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure l, but on a largerscale.

Virtually all commercial bowling alleys are multiple, that is, comprisea number of individual alleys side by side. Ball returns are locatedbetween successive alleys. Various lighting systems are employed toilluminate the alleys without glare in the eyes of the bowlers andspectators. To avoid distracting the bowlers, it is desirable that thereturning balls be wholly or partly concealed. It is an object of thepresent invention to provide an improved lighting system which issuperior to those now in use and which also serves to conceal thereturning balls.

For this purpose depressed open channels are provided between successivealleys 12, the bottom 14 of each channel being well below the surface ofthe alleys, these channels being of a size to accomrnodatestandardbowling balls 16 for duck pins or for any other type of pins for whichthe alley is intended.

Brackets 18 are arched over the channel 10 at intervals to support oneor more series of fluorescent lighting tubes 20 arranged end to end fromone end of the alley to the other, two such series being indicated inFigures 1 and 2. The tubular lamps 20 are mounted in holders 22 whichare carried by the brackets '18 at a height a few inches above the levelof the alley surfaces.

A suitable screen 24, preferably opaque, is supported by posts 26 whichrise from the brackets 18. Each screen extends longitudinally from oneend of the alley to the Patented Aug. 16, 1960 other and transverselyspans the series of lighting tubes beneath it so as to direct the lightfrom the tubes to the alley surfaces on either side. The margins 28 ofthe screen are preferably curved downward to shield the eyes of playersand spectators from any direct rays from the lighting tubes, and also toprotect the tubes from injury in case a ball is thrown in such a way orcaroms from a pin to cross a gutter 30. The screen 24 and lamps 20partially but sufficiently conceal the balls returning in the deprwsedrunway or channel 10.

This arrangement of lighting units throws the light on the alleysurfaces with no objectionable shadows, the side edges of the alleysbeing especially well illuminated, as is desirable.

I claim:

1. In combination with a pair of adjoining bowling alleys, an openball-return channel between said alleys, said channel having its bottombelow the level of the alley surfaces, a series of electric lightingunits mounted over said channel a few inches above the level of saidsurfaces, and a screen mounted over said lighting units arranged todirect light from said units to said surfaces and to shield the eyes ofobservers from direct rays of light from said units.

2. In combination with a pair of adjoining bowling alleys, an openball-return channel between said alleys, said channel having its bottombelow the level of the alley surfaces, a series of fluorescent lightingtubes extending end to end substantially continuously over said channelfrom one end of the alleys to the other at a height of a few inchesabove the level of said alley surfaces, a screen over said tubes shapedand arranged to direct light from the tubes to the alley surfaces, andmeans for supporting said tubes and screen.

3. In combination with a pair of adjoining bowling alleys, an openball-return channel between said alleys, said channel having its bottombelow the level of the alley surfaces, a series of spaced bracketsspanning said channel, two parallel series of fluorescent lighting tubesextending from one end of the alleys to the other, the tubes in eachsaid series being arranged end to end and mounted on said brackets oversaid channel and a few inches above the level of the alley surfaces, andan opaque screen mounted on said brackets over said lighting tubes todirect light therefrom to the alley surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,175,750 Edwards Oct. 10, 1939 2,219,383 Dillion Oct. 29, 19402,270,474 Recher Ian. 20, 1942 2,710,336 Iorn June 7, 1955 2,835,788Phillips, May 20, 1958

